New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) The spin trio of Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and vice-captain Axar Patel have showcased exceptional skill as India prepares for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Former captain Anil Kumble asserts that the much-debated dew factor will likely not pose a significant challenge for them throughout the tournament.

With matches scheduled for the evenings in February and March, dew is anticipated to play a role. However, Kumble believes that the experience of India’s spinners will help them adapt to the conditions.

“Dew will definitely have an impact, especially during the World Cup in the evening matches. It’s a challenging situation, but spinners generally adapt to bowling with a wet ball; it’s not an unfamiliar scenario,” Kumble stated on JioHotstar.

He emphasized that Varun Chakaravarthy might remain less affected by these conditions due to his unique bowling techniques and grip.

“India can find reassurance in the fact that Varun Chakaravarthy won’t be overly impacted by the dew, thanks to his grip on the ball and bowling pace. The wet conditions might not trouble him much.”

“While it’s not identical to bowling with a dry ball, I don’t anticipate Varun struggling significantly. Axar Patel should manage well too. However, Kuldeep Yadav might face more difficulties with a wet ball due to his bowling style. Yet, he is also accustomed to such conditions,” he added.

Kumble also discussed whether the conditions should influence team selection, stressing the necessity of fielding the strongest possible side without overanalyzing external factors.

“The dew shouldn’t be a decisive factor; you ought to field your best eleven regardless of the venue. If the optimal team on that pitch, against the rival team, requires three spinners, then that's the decision to make. If only two are needed, then Varun might be preferred over Kuldeep, especially if the conditions are wet during India’s second innings,” he explained.

Kumble further shared his views on India’s ability to defend their T20 World Cup title at home, recognizing the challenges of retaining a title in this fast-paced format.

“Winning consecutive World Cups is no small feat, especially in T20 cricket. No team has successfully defended their title, presenting a significant opportunity for India. Given the team's current form and the strength of the squad, I believe India is well-prepared to tackle any scenario.

“India should undoubtedly reach the semifinals, and from there, it’s anyone's game. Ultimately, the performance on that day will be crucial. I firmly believe India has a great chance to win the World Cup, making it a remarkable achievement by securing back-to-back titles,” he concluded.